USE OF COMPO. BOWLS

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 44, 22 February 1936, Page 9

USE OF COMPO. BOWLS

AN AUSTRALIAN COMMENT | l ' “ OUTING TELE WOODEN ARTICLE" Conflicting reports reached Australia when, the Auckland centre classic was over, as to what bowls the winner, Authu'r' Parsons, used, states “Boomerang" in the Sydney Referee. One statement was made and denied, and another went unaswered. I have now received a letter from “our Arthur," in which he states: “The report that I used Henselite bowls to win my 103rd trophy is correct." It is not the make of any particular boiwl that interests us, but the fact that New Zealanders are adopting the Australian compo.' bowl wholesale. Arthur Parsons mentions in passing, that great players as D liigginbottom, J. Rolf, and Bert Letham have follower his lead. On top of this comes the most- remarkable . announcement — that the greatest, champion of wood ever, Maxwell Walker, has played himself into the Dominion finals again with Australian compo. bowls.

When I was in the Dominion last year it was universally admitted that Maxwell Walker had not only “gone to the pack,” but had so gone off his game that hei would prolbably never come back. He actually asked his leader to take has. place one day at Remuera, when ! was playing there, so bad was his form. Now George Redmond informs me by late mail that, with the compo., he is showing the best form of his eareer. Another ' wooden stickler convert is Vie. Casey, and this brings me to a point when I can request the reader to allow me a little latitude. I take all the. Credit for planting.and establishing the Australian bowl in New Zealand.. In 1929 a set had scarcely ever been seen until I demonstrated at Wellington and elsewhere. At Auckland they were regarded with great curiosity. But the New Zealand bowler is a sensible one, and does not want anyone to do his thinking. Once they began to-win things the Australian bowls have -never looked back, and Engebretsen’s. recent statement that they will completely out the ancient wooden article was ever a certainty with me.